THE Professional Footballers' Association has hit back at suggestions that they have helped Cardiff City in their bid to avoid administration and potential relegation.

Several struggling Championship clubs have expressed their concern that the PFA stepped in to pay players' wages this month due to the dire financial situation at Ninian Park.

They argue that the cash handout has helped stave off administration, which now incurs a 10-point penalty at Football League level as Wrexham suffered earlier this season.

Such a deduction for Cardiff would almost certainly result in the drop to League One for a club around £30m in debt.

But PFA deputy chief executive Mick McGuire said, "I have read with interest figures (£2m) being bandied around as to the level of loan we have given to Cardiff.

"But they are so far from the truth it suggests they are being used for hidden motives.

"To suggest we are giving Cardiff an unfair advantage to keep them out of administration is a low argument.

"We only give loans to help cashflow in the short term to help pay the players who otherwise might have their wages deferred.

"Secondly, and most importantly, we get this money back - it is a loan.

"Every club has the opportunity to use this kind of loan to aid them in the short term and, in all due respect, many clubs - some 30 to 40 over the past 10 years - have used it."

However, some Championship clubs are said to be aggrieved that Cardiff - who recently raised £400,000 from the sale of captain Graham Kavanagh to Wigan - signed Watford's Neal Ardley and Michael Boulding on loan from Barnsley prior to the PFA's help.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally said, "I don't have any issues with the PFA, but I find it a bit bizarre Cardiff signed two players on deadline day.

"I would have the same opinion if we were top of the league, because I don't believe what they are doing is in the spirit of the game."